Current Smokers Develop More Posterior Myocardial Infarctions Probably Due to Increased Tendency to Thrombosis

This investigation was carried out to determine whether smokers developed smaller infarcts as assessed by peak enzyme levels and also to what extent smoking could modify infarct localization. The study included 753 patients, of whom 351 had no history of previous coronary heart disease (CHD) (angina pectoris and/or myocardial infarction (MI)). The investigation was designed as an exposed (smoking) versus non-exposed (non-smoking) cohort study. Outcome was infarct size, posterior versus non-posterior MI and non-Q-wave versus Q-wave infarcts. In the total cohort of patients, 312 (41%) were smokers, the corresponding number in the restricted cohort of patients without a previous CHD (CHD-0-pts) was 169 (48%). Smokers were younger than non-smokers, and more of them were males. It was found that infarct size was similar in smokers and in non-smokers (crude and adjusted effects). Crude effects showed that smokers developed significantly more posterior infarcts than non-smokers; odds ratio (OR) for developing a posterior MI was 1.95 (2p < 0.001) (all patients) and 2.34 (2< 0.001) (CHD-0-pts), respectively. After adjusting for confounders (logistic regression model), OR in the two groups was 1.24 (2p = 0.256) and 1.95 (2p = 0.01), respectively. The study shows that current smokers were younger, and indicates that in those without a previous CHD, significantly more of them developed a posterior MI.     

Repeated image analyses improves accuracy in assessing arterial flow-mediated dilatation

Objectives. A high degree of variability has been reported regarding the ultrasound-based assessment of flow-mediated dilatation. We wanted to investigate the variability and find out how it might be reduced most efficiently. Design. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation was measured by high-resolution ultrasound in 22 healthy adults on two consecutive days. Two observers analysed all images twice. The total variance was split into variance components and estimated hierarchically using the method of restricted maximum likelihood. Results. The relative proportional contributions from intraobserver (residual), interobserver, interpatient and interday variance components, with percentage dilatation as outcome variable, were 0.41, 0.18, 0.25, and 0.15, respectively. Conclusions. The major source of variability when assessing flow-mediated dilatation was found to be intraobserver variability. The simplest way to reduce total variability is for the observer to average results from repeated image analyses. We suggest that three repetitions are sufficient. This will reduce the total variance by 30%.     

Successful Use of Platelet-Rich Plasma for Chronic Plantar Fasciitis

Background:

There are limited data on the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for treating chronic plantar fasciitis.

Questions/Purposes:

The purpose of this study was to document the clinical outcomes of patients who were treated with PRP injections for plantar fasciitis to determine the degree to which injections were able to decrease the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores and improve patient reported functional scores.

Methods:

This was a retrospective review of 23 consecutive patients treated with PRP for chronic plantar fasciitis (symptoms lasting over 6 months). Patients returned after 4 weeks for a postinjection follow-up. A second injection was given if significant improvement was not obtained by that time. Postinjection foot and ankle outcome scores (FAOS), 12-item short form health survey (SF-12), and VAS scores were collected at a minimum of 6 months follow-up.

Results:

Thirty injections were given in 23 patients, with one patient lost to follow-up. The mean VAS score improved from 7 to 4. The pain, symptoms, and quality of life subscales of the FAOS and SF-12 significantly improved from preinjection scores. Five patients went on to have endoscopic release of the plantar fascia at an average of 94 days after the last injection (range, 22–314 days). Six patients obtained full resolution of symptoms while the majority of patients were able to forgo surgery due to improvement from the PRP injection.

Conclusion:

These results provide preliminary information on the safety and efficiency of PRP injection as treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11420-012-9321-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Post-traumatic false aneurysm in a digital artery of the finger

Abstract

Despite the high incidence of trauma involving the hand and digits, traumatic aneurysms in this region are rarely seen and few are reported. We describe a false aneurysm of a digital artery caused by a dog bite.     

Effect of risedronate on speed of sound in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis

AIM: To examine the effects of treatment with risedronate for 1 year on speed of sound (SOS) of the calcaneus and bone turnover markers in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.METHODS: Thirty-eight postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who had been treated with risedronate for > 1 year were enrolled in the study. The SOS and bone turnover markers were monitored during treatment with risedronate for 1 year.RESULTS: The urinary levels of cross-linked N-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen and serum levels of alkaline phosphatase were significantly decreased at 3 mo (-34.7%) and 12 mo (-21.2%), respectively, compared with the baseline values. The SOS increased modestly, but significantly by 0.65% at 12 mo compared with the baseline value. Treatment with risedronate elicited an increase in the SOS of the calcaneus exceeding the coefficient of variation in vivo (0.27%).CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed that risedronate suppressed bone turnover and elicited a clinically significant increase in the SOS of the calcaneus in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.     

Nerve cross-sectional area in extremes of age

Introduction: Nerve cross-sectional area reference values have been reported for many nerves, but there have been few studies in pediatric and geriatric populations. This study was conducted to determine the influence of age on nerve cross-sectional area. Methods: Thirty-two children (3 months to 16 years) and 20 geriatric adults (67–92 years) without known neurologic conditions underwent bilateral ultrasound to measure the area of the following nerves: median at the wrist and forearm; ulnar at the wrist and elbow; radial in the spiral groove; sciatic in the distal thigh; fibular at the knee; tibial at the knee and ankle; and sural at the ankle. Results: In general, nerve cross-sectional area increased with age. Nerve size correlated most closely with age, but a correlation was also seen with body mass index. Conclusions: Nerve cross-sectional area increases with age, which is important to note when using ultrasound to evaluate children and geriatric patients. Muscle Nerve 47: 890–893, 2013